More on Health Care

“We believe that the APC-APM proposal is consistent with the Administration’s goals of preserving independent medical practices, lowering the cost of health care, and reducing the administrative burden for physicians and other health care providers,” wrote the members. “If fully implemented, the APC-APM would allow more than 200,000 primary care physicians to engage in a payment model that promotes the value of primary care through comprehensive and continuous patient-centered primary care.”

The members wrote: “You have stated that the objective of this regulation is to ‘expand employer and employee access to more affordable, high-quality coverage,’ a goal we share. However, we are concerned that the impact analysis fails to explain sufficiently how the Department expects this proposed rule to achieve the desired outcome. For that reason, we respectfully request specific additional information on how the Department has determined this proposed rule’s potential impacts on coverage quality and cost – from the perspective of employers and employees.”

“Millions of working-class families across our country rely on CHIP to provide quality health insurance for their children that they would otherwise not be able to afford,” said Courtney. “Since the CHIP program was first created it has been regularly reauthorized with strong bipartisan support from across the political spectrum. Today, I am joining nearly 100 of my colleagues in pleading with our leadership in the House and Senate to make this a priority this coverage lapses and parents are left with nowhere to turn.”

Congressman Joe Courtney (D-CT-2) and Congressman Mike Kelly (R-PA-3) released a letter signed by 140 bipartisan members of the House of Representatives urging repeal of the 40% excise tax on high cost health plans, also known as the “Cadillac Tax.”

Along with four other members, U.S. Rep. Joseph D. Courtney, D-2nd District, is leading the charge, writing a letter last week to House Speaker Paul Ryan and Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi that was signed by 150 House members expressing their deep concern over the lapsed funds.

Rep. Courtney led a bipartisan group of more than 150 U.S. Representatives in sending a letter to Speaker of the House Paul Ryan and Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi expressing serious concerns over the expiration of the Community Health Centers Fund (CHCF). The CHCF, which accounts for 70% of community health centers’ federal grant funding, expired at the end of September 2017.

Open enrollment for Connecticut’s health insurance exchange, Access Health CT, is underway. If you already have coverage on the exchange or are looking for new insurance options, the staff at Access Health CT can help you find the right option for you, your family or your small business.

Courtney and the full Connecticut Delegation sent a letter urging Hartford Healthcare CEO Elliot Joseph and Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield Connecticut President and General Manager Jill Hummel to reach an agreement and resolve the contract dispute as soon as possible. The dispute has threatened access to affordable health care services for roughly 60,000 Connecticut residents.

In remarks on the House floor today, Congressman Courtney highlighted the broad opposition to the Graham-Cassidy bill being brought to a vote this week in the Senate. As Courtney noted in his remarks, nearly every major health advocacy, provider and real-world practitioner group has rejected the measure.

“The rising tide of prescription opioid and heroin addiction continues to harm our communities,” said Courtney. “We need all hands on deck response to deal with this epidemic, and this federal funding will go a long way in helping these local treatment programs to fight back against this vexing epidemic of drug addiction. Starting with youth education is one of the best ways to ensure the next generation understands the dangers associated with narcotic drug use and remain drug-free. I know that these programs will put this funding to good use.”